Obituary: Vernelle HamptonDARDANELLE — Vernelle J. Hampton, age 85, of Dardanelle, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, at Johnson County Regional Medical Center. She was born Oct. 5, 1931, at Slaty Crossing to the late John Oscar and Hettie Pearson Standridge. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Gene Hampton and her brothers and sisters, Joe, Melvin, Audrey, Boyd, Loyd, Lueller, Doyn and Delmer. Survivors include her son, Kevin Hampton and wife Car...

Obituary: Michael CrossCLINTON— Michael Paul William Cross, 28, of Russellville, formerly of Clinton, passed away Nov. 25, 2016, in Little Rock. Michael was born July 20,1988, in Conway, to Michael Lewis and Kelly Emerson Cross. Michael was a talented musician who was self-taught on many instruments and held a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Production. He was the first to play the guitar in the Clinton Marching Band. Michael was also a songwriter and went by the name “R...

Obituary: Ronnie PruittATKINS — Ronnie Roy Pruitt, 64, of Judsonia, passed from this life Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at The Crossing at Riverside in Searcy. He was born Sept. 4, 1952, in Hector, son of the late Hersle and Cleta Voss Pruitt. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Hersle Wayne Pruitt. He is survived by two daughters, Rhonda and husband Zenon Lumbreras of Hector, and Rebecca and husband Heath Davis of Dover; hi...

Obituary: Alice BatesAlice Margaret Bates, 91, was born Feb. 6,1925, and died Nov. 22, 2016, in Russellville. She graduated from Clarksville High School, retired from the Fabric Department of the Clarksville Wal-Mart and was a member of the Clarksville Quilt Guild. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Dickerson; and step-father, Odus Dickerson. She is survived by a sister, Sue Nell Eichenburger of Russellville; two nephews, Earl David and Bob Eichenberg...

Obituary: Melba GriffithMENA — Melba I. Lacefield Griffith, 80, of Russellville passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in Russellville. Melba was born Nov. 12, 1936, in Mena to the late Taylor Odell Lacefield and Mary Hilda Goodrich. Melba was married to the late David Griffith, Sr. on Dec. 5, 1957 in Poteau, Okla. She worked in nursing homes in Poteau and Russellville and was of the Baptist faith. Melba was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all who kne...

Obituary: Dorothy PapasanDANVILLE — Dorothy Papasan, 61, of Danville passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at Mitchell’s Nursing Home in Danville. She was born Feb. 2, 1955, in Danville to Tom and Jonnie Sue Hancock Hall. She was a retired manager of Dollar General in Danville. She was preceded in death by her father, Tom Hall; sister, Beverly Tilmon; husband, Bill Lovejoy; grandparents, John and Myrtle Hancock, Jim and Lottie Hall; and father-in-law, Alvin Papasan. Surv...

Obiutary: Kenneth NealATKINS — Kenneth Neal Russell, 71, of Atkins passed away Saturday, Nov. 26 at his home. He was born Nov. 4, 1945, in Russellville, son of the late William Cletus and Hattie Mae Reynolds Russell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wilene Russell; five brothers, Bill, Bob, Charles, James, and Cletus; and three sisters, Ruby, Ruth, and Elaine. He is survived by two sisters, Jean Roach and Mary Sue Byrd; and a brother, Larry Walker...

obituary: Bill NewsomWilliam Eldon “Bill” Newsom, 81, of Russellville, who was editor of The Courier for 37 years, passed away at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center on November 26, 2016. He was born Nov. 15, 1935, at Beebe, the son of Eldon Newsom and the former Mary Appoline Smoot. Newsom retired at the end of 1997, completing a 45-year career that included three years as editor of the weekly Morrilton Democrat and five years at the Paragould Daily Press where ...

ObituariesBill Newsom William Eldon "Bill" Newsom, 81, of Russellville, who was editor of The Courier for 37 years, passed away at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center on November 26, 2016. He was born Nov. 15, 1935, at Beebe, the son of Eldon Newsom and the former Mary Appoline Smoot. Newsom retired at the end of 1997, completing a 45-year career that included three years as editor of the weekly Morrilton Democrat and five years at the Paragould Daily ...

obituary: Rudy FacunRudy Facun, 70, of Russellville, formerly of San Jose, Philippines, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, at home. He was born Dec. 23, 1945, in Tarlac City, Philippines. He is survived by his wife, Carmalita Facun of Russellville; 12 children, including Genalyn Hickerson (Aaron) and Rechel Harrell (Jimmy), all of Russellville; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at Humphrey Chapel with Pastors ...

Obituary: Beverly CarrDANVILLE — Beverly C. Carr, age 77, of Danville, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, at Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville. She was born Dec. 26, 1938, in Los Angeles, Calif., to the late Opal and Jewell Madden Crowell. She was a mother and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-dad, Jimmy Scott; and grandson, Dwight Vaughn. Survivors include husband, Charles Carr; daughter, Sredah (Hal) Vaughn of Danville;...

Obituary: Inez JamesDARDANELLE — Inez Grace Overcash James, 100 years old, entered into Heaven’s gates on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, from Cla-Cliff Nursing Home in Brinkley. She was born March 27, 1916, in Dardanelle to the late Christopher Columbus Grace and Effie Cleo Moore Grace. Inez was the third-oldest child of 15 children in the Grace family. Inez is survived by her three children and their families, Dr. Carl and Jane Overcash and children Mary Kathryn, Garre...

Obituary: Robert NorrisRobert Dallas Norris was born March 2, 1945, in Johnson City, Tenn., and died Nov. 22, 2016, in Clarksville, Ark, at the age of 71. He was retired from the United States Army and Clarksville Police Department and a member of Clarksville City Council. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rector Dana Norris and Myrtle Alice Smith Norris. He is survived by his wife, Tracy Parr Norris of Clarksville; three sons, Jeffrey Wayne Norris and wife, C...

Obituary: Carolyn ClemmonsCarolyn Warren Clemmons, 86, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. She was born in Charleston, SC., on March 25, 1930. She was a registered nurse in the maternity ward and was the wife of a United Methodist Pastor, the late Reverend Frank R. Clemmons. She is survived by her three sons, David Clemmons (Cindy), Mark Clemmons (Renee) and John Clemmons (Meredith); six grandchildren: Susannah, Carly, Isaac, Bennett, Isabel and Claire Clemmons. Visitation wil...

Obituary: Donald Ray Best IIIDARDANELLE — Donald Ray Best III “Bubbs”, age 5 months, became an angel, on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. He was born June 21, 2016, at Little Rock to Tameran Bagby and Donald Ray Best Jr. The family of baby Donald would like to thank each and every one of you for the prayers. We are so grateful for each of you. Although baby Donald was on this earth for a short time, we still thank God for blessing us with the time that he did. Please continue to ke...

Obituary: Donald BestDonald Ray Best III “Bubbs”, age 5 months, became an angel, on Sunday Nov. 20, 2016. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Russellville. Burial will be in Nebo Cemetery in Dardanelle. A full obituary will run in a later edition of The Courier. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online guestbook and condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com

Obituary: Kellawain RitchieKellawain “Kelly” Ritchie, 79, of Clarksville, passed away Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at his home. He was born in Spokeplant on Nov. 13, 1938, to Toy and Ethie Ritchie. He is survived by the love of his life, Janet Ritchie, six children, Gary and wife Shanna Ritchie, Danny and wife Debbie Ritchie, Lora Kettlewell, Rhonda and husband Russell Cash, Floyd and wife Amy King. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at the Roller-Cox ...

Obituary: Willie CrumrineWillie Harold Crumrine, 81 of Lamar, died Nov. 21, 2016, in Fort Smith. He was born October 7, 1935 in Johnson County to Mr. Walter H and Lucille (Dobbs) Crumrine. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Wanda (Barber) Crumrine; one son, Rev. Ronnie (Alisa) Crumrine of Enterprise, Ala.; three grandchildren Joni Lewis, Ronnie Crumrine Jr., and Amy Hart; eight great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Williams, Shelby Williams, K...

Obituary: Tommy WatsonTommy Watson, 69, a resident of Russellville, formerly of Paragould, died Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville. He was born Aug. 15, 1947, in Jonesboro, to Fred Watson Jr. and Ruth Wood Watson. He graduated from Oak Grove High School near Paragould and soon joined the United States Navy, serving our country during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Second Baptist Church in Russellville and worked se...